Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppies

About the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The Polish Lowland Sheepdog, known as the PON, is a shaggy herding breed that worked flocks on the Polish plains and is thought to sit behind several of the British bearded herding dogs. They are compact and muscular, roughly 13.6 to 22.7 kg and 43 to 51 cm tall, under a long double coat that falls over the eyes. The character is watchful and self possessed: clever, retentive, closely bonded to their family and reserved with people they do not know.

Expect a thorough brush at least once a week in full coat, or a shorter clip that still needs combing out. Exercise is daily and substantial, and the brain needs work too, because a bored PON invents jobs of their own. They are alert barkers and natural watchdogs. They suit experienced owners who enjoy training, with supervision and socialisation around children and other pets. Stay on top of the coat, because once the mats are past brushing out, the dog has to be shaved.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are high. Start daily brushing and short, positive handling sessions at eight weeks, well before the adult coat arrives, or the first professional groom will be traumatic. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for
• Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test and an ophthalmologist evaluation
• Hypothyroidism, detected by a blood thyroid panel

Your Polish Lowland Sheepdog puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 13.6 to 22.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 22.7 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Polish Lowland Sheepdog

Previous: Polish Hunting Dog · Next: Polish Tatra Sheepdog

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Polish Lowland Sheepdog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/polish-lowland-sheepdog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Nizina, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.